How to be a Discipling Influence

July 22, 2026 / by Pastor Jeff VanGoethem

Jesus said, “Go and Make Disciples.” Considering this bold command, we believers realize we should be going and moving in life to impact other people for Christ. We should be looking to have a discipling influence on others.

In doing so, there are a couple of errors we should avoid. First, we should not think of discipleship only as a formal process. When we read the life of Christ, we see that He made many impactful connections and had many discipling conversations in the ordinary course of just living day to day. Second, we should not think of discipleship as something that occurs only in church.

There are many steps we can take outside of church, in our daily lives, to bring a discipling influence to others. So what can we do?

1. Spend time with people and develop friendships. Don’t say “no” to opportunities for new relationships.
2. Seek to live a consistent, loving Christian life, while noticing the people around you. Connect with them and live forthrightly as a Christian.
3. Avoid judging others, understanding that “there but for the grace of God go I.”
4. Help someone with something. Do something with someone.
5. Visit with people when they are sick, in need, or grieving.
6.  Invite others to Christian events. Talk about what went on.
7. Give friends and acquaintances an interesting Christian book or biography to read and discuss it with them. Or watch a Christian movie with them and discuss it.
8. Have a personal Bible Study with someone who could benefit from it.
9. Volunteer or serve somewhere and get around some new people.
10. Include others in your family activities.

During the first break of a class I was teaching overseas, I struck up a conversation with a young student seated to my left. As we talked, I saw we had a connection. He was searching for God’s will and direction. He had an interest in Pastoral Studies. Over the course of the week, I shared some thoughts and experiences with him. We made plans to stay in touch. Yay! A new connection. It was a blessing for me and I trust a helpful discipling influence for him. What can you do and who can you influence to follow Christ and/or deepen their commitment to Him?

Pastor Jeff VanGoethem serves as the Associate Pastor of Spiritual Development and Missions at East White Oak. He is married to Karen. He loves the Packers, his four daughters and his five grandchildren. (Not in that order.)